As soon as his words dropped, a silence descended on the room. All the teachers stared at the scene — partly agreeing as none interfered. From the left, Maria raised her brows in interest, watching the scene with fascination on her eyes.

Director Guinevere face twisted into a frown. A thick tension lingered around the air as no one spoke. After seconds passed, Director Guinevere merely sighed and shook his head, adding:

"...Alan Flamewind, right?"

The Arcane Teacher that spoke earlier took a step forward — nodding as his eyes darted around the room, observing the others' reaction. He shifted his attention to Director Guinevere, saying:

"Yes, Esteemed Director Guinevere. Alan Flamewind of the noble lineage Flamewind, 23rd successor of the House, and former Scholar Alumni of Volund Academy,"

Director Guinevere sighed once more... It was a noble no less. This was going to be hard to pacify. Nonetheless, it wasn't impossible. He stared at the Arcane Teacher and asked.

"...What's your problem with the new recruit, Alan Flamewind?"

Alan Flamewind frowned, his eyes alternating between Director Guinevere and Rio — who looked uncaring and unfeeling as always — while he straightened his back as he spoke.

"To shorten my complaint, I'l merely comment that he lacks qualification to be a Teacher of Volund Academy. He does not have a background nor experience to back it up. I, along with the rest of others, think he is simply unfit and unqualified to be a teacher. I ask you to reconsider your decision, Director Guinevere."

Alan knitted his brows, restraining himself from adding in a comment about the brown haired man's common civilian status. He couldn't do that — Director Guinevere was also a common man on birth. If he did, his point would go across as mere discrimination.

"As for qua—"

Director Guinevere said, suddenly stopping as another voice intervened in the room.

"Qualifications?"

Rio asked, his eyes darting around the room. He didn't have the time for this petty squabble. He added in:

"What do you want me to prove?"

[Ooh...!] Faust shouted from behind, cheering in Rio. [Go my disciple! Whoop their sorry ass!]

'Shut up, Faust. There's no whooping going to be involved.'

Rio transmitted his thoughts as he stared at Alan. His eyes darted around the room, staring at figures that were watching the scene with interest... If possible, he wanted to finish this meeting as soon as possible without underlying problems. But he figured that couldn't happen. He contemplated on using the intimidation skill he had, but it would most likely be close to useless in a room full of strong people.

"Director Guinevere, may I speak?"

Alan asked, his eyes shifting to Director Guinevere. Guinevere nodded, sighing as he let the scene unfold on its own. Alan nodded, a smile gracing his lips as he added:

"New recruit, or perhaps...Rio Salem, was it? I'm sorry, but you're simply not qualified for this kind of job. Judging from your anonymity and unknown background... you must be a recent rising Rank B ascendant, correct? You're a but a new man, still not having mastery over his own power. You should go experience more before you teach on the best academy, or less you will just beseech the grand reputation of this place... with your incompetetence."

Rio sighed, shaking his head. He had heard enough. He stared into Alan's eyes as he asked.

"...Who are you again?"

"...Pardon?" Alan's face twitched, restraining the anger erupting within him. Behind him, he heard the faint chuckles of his colleagues — his face morphed into an ugly expression, sighing as he tried to calm his anger. He coughed, introducing himself again.

"My name is Alan Flam—"

However, before he could even finish, Rio's voice intervened once more.

"I know already that, what I'm asking is who are you to override my recruition?"

Rio's eyes darted around the room, noticing the raised brows of the figures present in the room. They wanted him to make a scene; and so he would. He added in:

"You're a mere Arcane Teacher, and your nobility status isn't even that famed... never in my life I had heard of Flamewind. Much less the successor named Alan. So, whoever you are... I don't think your opinion matters here, so kindly — please shut your mouth up."

In that moment, a faint soft chuckle echoed in the room. From the left, Maria covered her mouth as the others directed their stares towards her. Maria stared back, her eyes asking—'what are you staring at?'

In the middle of the room, Alan's face turned uglier, mixed with an angry frown. Unable to control his anger, he dashed in to Rio, shouting:

"How dare—"

Woosh—!

Suddenly, everything stopped. Alan's body stilled in the air. All the figures in the room sweated, whether Combat Teacher, Arcane Teacher, or Head Deputy. All of them held their breath as they felt an overbearing suppression descend in the room. Director Guinevere commanded softly. "Enough."historical

In that moment, Alan's body fell to the ground, making a loud thud resounded. His eyes were blank white, unconscious, as if hit by a sudden seizure. Guinevere glanced at the other Arcane Teachers — gesturing them to take the man's body. The Arcane Teachers complied, one of them dragging Alan's body to the right.

"Volund Academy does not promote blatant infighting among its staff. If you have feuds, solve it in a healthy way as such of officially challenging the other party in a match."

Guinevere frowned, his eyes tense. The other teachers nodded, releasing their breaths. He continued.

"Moving on...because of the disruption, I haven't announced of his qualifications yet. Rio Salem is a newly ascendant Rank B. However, don't disregard him yet; he's a genius who had reached the realm as early as the age of 26. As for his background, I can vouch for him myself."

Everyone's eyes widened at Guinevere's words. Their eyes immediately shifted to Rio, staring at the brown haired man in wonder. Not simply because of his genius achievement... but because the Director itself vouched for his background.

Who was the Director? The Director is the owner and creator of Volund Academy itself, the most prestigious learning institute for civilians and nobles alike. But that was not all... The Director is one of the most powerful people in the world. Not only that, he's also the most young and talented among them.

For a person like him to personally vouch for someone's background... It didn't take a genius to understand the nuance behind his words. Rio Salem had a personal connection with the director, for how close or far; the director is willing enough to protect him for it.

Rio gazed into Director Guinevere's eyes, his eyes questioning the man's decision to revealing their relationship openly. Not that he knew of the relationship, but judging from his first interaction with the man, their relationship was to be kept quiet and hidden.

...But then again, perhaps it was mostly because of the personality of the original 'Rio Salem' that their relationship was hidden... Not that it mattered anymore since the decision was done. Rio shook his head, muttering. "... I guess living a peaceful low-key life is no longer possible, huh?"

[Hey, y'know I'm wondering...what's your connection with that man?] Faust asked, raising his brows in interest. [Also, you didn't tell me you were 26 years old... It seems you're fairly talented in your own right. I thought you were a mediocre mid thirty's man disguising his appearance with a young one.]

'Just what made that assumption passed through your head?'

Rio thought, his eyes weirdly staring at the tanned, muscular man. Faust shrugged, returning silent as he watched the meeting proceed.

"I trust there are no more complaints and questions left?"

Guinevere asked, staring at the figures in the room. Everybody nodded. He nodded, a soft smile gracing his lips as he added.

"Then this meeting is therefore dismissed... Once again, before you all leave, I thank you for attending this short meeting."

As soon as his words dropped, everybody in the room stood up and nodded as their hands clapped in appreciation. Rio followed along in courtesy.

—

[Good thing I warned you in advance, huh?] Faust commented in his mind.

"Right." Rio muttered, his head nodding in agreement. He had left much earlier than the other teachers. From how the others had acted, it seemed to be the right choice.

As soon as the meeting ended, most of the teachers tried to approach him with him eyes that he could only call as terrific. However, with Faust's help he managed to sneakily avoided any interactions and questions.

[Though, you should probably get used to it...] Faust muttered, his eyes nostalgic. [Back in the days, there were a lot of shameless people wanting to ask me about favors. A King even once begged me to help them.]

"Is that so?" Rio commented, uninterested.

[Atleast try to act like you're interested...] Faust sighed, shaking his head as he dived into Rio's body. [And so, because of that you should suffer a little.]

Rio frowned at the tanned muscular man's words, his brows knitting in confusion as he pondered over what that meant. However, soon after, an answer naturally came as a beautiful voice resounded from behind.

"Rio Salem, was it?"

Behind him, Maria asked, her hand grasping over her waist. She lowered her head as she peeked over the black sunglasses covering her eyes.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Maria Skye, chief executive of the guild Forgotten Winter... But I'm sure you already know that, right?"